This is the first Ann Cleeves novel I’ve read, despite having watched every episode of “Vera” which features her characters and is adapted from her series of 9 novels and 1 novella featuring Detective Chief Inspector Vera Stanhope, beautifully played by Brenda Blethyn. I also had neither watched any of her other acclaimed tv adaptation, “Shetland” nor read any of those 8 novels, 1 Quick Read and 1 associated non-fiction work, but I have always wanted to. There’s also two earlier series of novels featuring George and Molly Palmer-Jones (8 titles) and Inspector Ramsay (6 titles) so it is pretty incredible that I hadn’t got round to this prolific British author’s work.
This novel is an obvious staring place- a brand new series, “Two Rivers”, and one which has been recommended to me a number of times. I’ve also seen it on lists of titles with positive LGBTQ+ representation embodied here in main character Detective Matthew Venn. Set in coastal North Devon, which Cleeves has conveyed very effectively through her writing, Venn is embarking on married life with husband Jonathan following years of estrangement from his Christian Fundamentalist family who rejected him and his lifestyle. Ostracised from the community he grew up amongst he has returned to the area to live and work. Jonathan runs a community arts centre and when a body which turns up on the beach close to their home proves to be a volunteer from The Woodyard, Venn knows he has to tread carefully to avoid conflict of interests.
Matthew and Jonathan are well-established as characters with the policeman’s background giving a depth which could last for many cases. His team, Jen Rafferty and Ross May also both have lots of potential.
There’s a lot going on in this novel and I very much liked that. I felt, away from the crime, a community of memorable characters had been created and I felt part of their lives, which is an unusual experience for me within the crime fiction genre where I tend to feel less connected with characters’ lives.
This is a strong opening title for a new series and with the second “The Heron’s Song” due to arrive on September 2nd 2021 whilst the paperback edition of this is still selling well I’d heartily recommend seeking this out.
The Long Call was published in September 2019 by Macmillan. The Pan paperback edition is also available.
reviewsrevues 
I wondered if you had read any Ann Cleeves. The Vera series is excellent as are the Shetland books. I also read one if the Inspector Ramsay series, A Lesson in Dying, keeps you guessing allege way through. As you know, this is my favourite genre, Ann Cleeves doesn’t disappoint on the crime or character front. I will look this one out.
LikeLike
Thanks for your comments Kay. I don’t know why it has taken me so long to get around to reading Ann Cleeves but I am certainly behind this new series.
LikeLike
Pingback: Books I Should Have Read In 2021 – reviewsrevues